Free Wilderness Trail of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 1) by Dorothy Wiley Page A

on his arms to stop him. She stared at him, her face flushing. “How can you be so ready to give up our home? Leaving won’t keep us safe. There are countless dangers on the trailto Kentucky. Probably worse hazards. Have you considered that?”
    “That’s all I’ve thought about lately. My brothers and Bear will be joining us so we will have five men—six if Edward comes—not just me to protect you. And we won’t be sitting here waiting for danger to come to us. I’ll not live here with your life in jeopardy or with us worrying about the girls disappearing every time they go outside to play. Why should we when so much opportunity waits for us there? Daniel and Squire Boone call Kentucky a second paradise. Boone’s axe men cleared a trail all the way to the Kentucky River. They say the grass there is lush beyond belief.”
    “Pastures—so that’s what this is all about. I should have known.” Jane threw down the towel in her hand.
    “No! It’s not just about land. It’s about opportunity.”
    “What about Indians in Kentucky?”
    “The Shawnee, by terms of the truce, agreed not to harm white settlers. Once we reach Fort Boonesborough it will be safe.” He truly believed that was true. He stayed informed on the news of the frontier, reading everything he could get his hands on and Sam’s contacts with the military and other hunters and trappers provided reliable information. They also learned a good deal from newspapers. He removed a newspaper clipping from his writing table drawer. “I was going to show you this even before Bomazeen came here. It’s from the
New Hampshire Gazette
, December 15, 1796.” Stephen read it aloud to her, “
‘The Wilderness Road from Cumberland Gap to the settlements of Kentucky is now completed. Wagons loaded with a ton weight, may pass with ease, with four good horses. Travelers will find no difficulty in procuring such necessaries as they stand in need of on the road; and the abundant crop now growing in Kentucky, will afford the emigrants a certainty of being supplied with every necessary of life on the most convenient terms.Joseph Crockett, James Knox, Commissioners.’”
    He put the clipping away and then continued. “Everywhere I go, Jane, men are talking excitedly about the beautiful grass in Kentucky, so rich in color, settlers call it Bluegrass.”
    He remembered the plentiful grass his father had cultivated on their home place, but a massive mountain slide of rock, mud and snow buried his parents’ entire three-story brick home and most of their property. Tragically, his father, mother and sister all perished, buried forever at the base of what people would later name Wyllie Mountain.
    Jane turned back to making dinner, shaking her head from side to side. “I’m more concerned about the safety of my daughters than a plenitude of pastures.” She smacked the biscuit dough with more force than needed.
    “I am too. That’s why I want to leave,” he persisted, fatigue making him even less patient than normal.
    “Well, I don’t. I can’t believe your brothers agreed to this madness.”
    “They all see the potential and agree it is time for a move. Well, all but Edward,” he said tersely, admitting to himself that he wanted his stubborn brother to come. The five brothers, despite their differences, had always been close and he wanted it to stay that way. He still held out hope that Edward would change his mind. He put a log on the fire and stoked it repeatedly.
    “We need to think about this. You’ve waited this long, it can keep until we’re both sure.”
    “Damn it, I am sure. I’m sure we need to leave
now
.”
    “Well I’m not!” She stomped her foot and glared up at him. Aflush of red crept up her throat as her anger flared.
    He was running out of options. He had to make her understand. “If we stay, and that devil’s spawn grabs one of our girls, will you be able to live with that? This is just a house. We can replace it. We cannot replace